Nikki Holloman’s tears and worries have been replaced with a smile and confidence.

Last week, the pregnant homeless woman had no clue where she would lay her head in days to come, or what the future held for her. She had been homeless since 17, partly due to the end of her relationship with the child’s father and the loss of employment.

As Shemeka Walker, 28, read of her plight in last Sunday’s edition of the News-Herald, &uot;All I could do was burst out in tears.&uot;

Walker immediately called her husband, Samuel, who’s in the Navy and an ordained minister.

&uot;I told him, `You know what I’m going to do’ and he said, `I know Mother Theresa.’

Walker called Holloman at the Suffolk Shelter for the Homeless Monday night and told her, &uot;My house is open,&uot; she said.

The next morning at 7:30 a.m., Walker was at the shelter to take Holloman to her lavish new home in the King’s Fork community.

&uot;When my husband and I decided to buy a home we told God that if he gives us the house of our dreams that we will help those in need,&uot; said Walker.

&uot;What’s the purpose of having a big house and never sharing it with anyone…You never know what your purpose in life is.&uot;

Walker, a sales associate at Barton Ford in Suffolk, has a history of helping people. She is a registered foster parent and currently has custody of another teenager.

As for Holloman, Walker has adopted her as her own daughter and already speaks of the unborn child as her &uot;grandbaby on the way.&uot;

She’s worked with Holloman to enroll her at Paul D. Camp Community College, and agreed to a list of goals in increments of months and years.

&uot;I want to help her get on her feet,&uot; stressed Walker. &uot;To do that, you have to have goals.&uot;

Holloman has been spoiled by the family, which includes the couple’s young child, and Walker’s best friend and two children. Walker, originally from Mississippi, is one of 12 children.

Holloman is obviously a renewed person from this experience, which she never expected.

&uot;Basically I didn’t expect none of this,&uot; said Holloman. &uot;The first day I came here, I went back and packed my things.&uot;

To show her appreciation for Walker, Holloman surprised her Friday night with a large array of balloons for Mother’s Day.

Both women shed tears of joy and hugged, knowing that both of their lives had been forever changed.

luefras.robinson@suffolknewsherald.com